ABSTRACT
This study explored the nature of interactions between adolescent males with ADHD and their mothers, and the effects of methylphenidate (MPH) on an analogue parent-teen interaction task. Twenty-five adolescent males with ADHD ( M = 13.6 years) and their mothers and 14 non-ADHD adolescent males ( M = 13.4 years) and their mothers completed ratings of perceived dyadic conflict. Behavioral observations of dyads during 10-min conflict-resolution tasks were also collected. The ADHD dyads completed these tasks twice, with adolescents receiving either 0.3 mg/kg MPH or placebo. Videotaped sessions were coded using the Parent-Adolescent Interaction Rating Scale. Following the conflict-resolution task, participants rated their perceived conflict and affect during the interaction. Findings indicated higher conflict in the ADHD dyads, and minimal MPH effects on parent-teen interactions during the analogue task. Results suggest that stimulant medication does not produce meaningful acute effects on parent-teen interactions.
Subject(s)
Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity/drug therapy , Central Nervous System Stimulants/administration & dosage , Methylphenidate/administration & dosage , Parent-Child Relations , Adolescent , Affect/drug effects , Analysis of Variance , Child , Conflict, Psychological , Dose-Response Relationship, Drug , Fathers/psychology , Female , Humans , Male , Mothers/psychology , Self Report , Surveys and QuestionnairesABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To test the efficacy and tolerability of the methylphenidate transdermal formulation (MTS) against immediate-release methylphenidate (IR MPH) and placebo in a 12-hr analog classroom setting. METHOD: A total of nine boys ages 6 to 9 years, medicated with MPH for ADHD, complete a within-subject, double-blind study. For the purpose of the study, the boys are administered a dose of 20 cm(2) MTS, a matched dose of IR MPH 10 mg TID, and placebo. ADHD symptoms and frequency counts of classroom rule violations and the number of math problems completed are assessed hourly, during three consecutive analog classroom sessions. RESULTS: Findings show that, across measures and throughout the day, both treatments significantly differentiated from placebo (p < .05) but not from each other. It is also observed that the MTS produced more consistent results across the day but had a delayed onset versus IR MPH. Both medications are well tolerated with only mild reductions in sleep onset. CONCLUSION: The MTS demonstrates comparable efficacy and tolerability to TID IR MPH.
